NASCAR drivers could be tried for murder

If NASCAR drivers are going to retaliate against their fellow competitors, they might get more than three weeks probation because of it.

They could find themselves in trouble with the law.

Drivers should be aware that if they intentionally wreck another driver and someone is injured, they could face criminal penalties, according to Winston-Salem, N.C., attorney John Morrow, whose firm has represented Richard Childress Racing.

Whether the charges would stick and whether those injured could successfully bring civil claims against the driver is a matter of debate, according to lawyers and educators who follow sports law.

In Georgia for example, the definition of aggravated assault is “with a deadly weapon or with any object, device, or instrument which, when used offensively against a person, is likely to or actually does result in serious bodily injury."

If Brad Keselowski or a fan had been injured when Keselowski’s car got airborne after intentional contact by Carl Edwards in the March 7 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, would Edwards’ action fit that assault definition?

“There certainly is a danger out there," Morrow said. “They’re flirting with lawsuits. They race in about 20 states and every state has different laws. … You can be convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in North Carolina if you intentionally run over somebody.

“And if you kill them, that can get up there in the murder class [of crimes]." Scene Daily